GHI calling for DNA + donations for corn research

[EllenEveBaz]

from an e-mail sent to Greyhound Health Initiative members:

August is Corn Research Month The Greyhound Health Initiative (GHI) knows that corns are a problem for many of our Sighthounds.  Because research is an important part of our mission, GHI is collaborating with Richard Doughty, DVM and Frode Lingass, DVM with the Norwegian University of Life Sciences with a study to help determine if there is a genetic link associated with the occurrence of paw pad corns.  We need volunteers to help collect DNA samples as well as donors to help fund this research project.   We would like to obtain DNA samples from retired racing greyhounds with corns as well as separate control DNA samples from greyhounds over 8 years old without corns.  It has been noted that the vast majority of corns surface prior to 8 years old, therefore greyhounds over 8 years old will give us a valid negative control.   The DNA samples are to be collected from saliva swabs obtained by simply swabbing the inside of the greyhound’s mouth using a specially designed collection tube that stabilizes the DNA. This is a painless and stress-free collection that takes 20 seconds to complete and most greyhounds barely know it occurred.  GHI needs to collect samples from at least 100 greyhounds with corns and at least 100 swabs from greyhounds without corns and over 8 years of age. GHI will ship these samples to Norway for data collection and to be analyzed. Postage will be expensive so we would like to send overseas in bulk.   We will need greyhound volunteers along with your support to make this project happen. We need volunteers to collect samples and the best part is that you do not need to be a veterinarian to collect these samples!  You can get together with your adoption groups, greyhound friends or at greyhound events to collect the samples. GHI would like to ship each volunteer at least 10 swabs (more would be great but less becomes cost prohibitive) You will be provided the swabs, a detailed instruction sheet, a link to a “how to” video and a form to collection information and consent. We are hoping to get equal numbers of samples from hounds with and without corns so we are not left with too many or too few from each group. Once you’ve collected all your samples, you simply mail them back to GHI (we can cover this shipping cost, if needed).  Once GHI has collected a large sampling of swabs, they will be sent to Norway in bulk, which as you can imagine can be quite expensive.   Which brings us to our second request!  We need donations to cover the cost of this invaluable research project. We have an initial goal of $5000.00 to cover shipping around the US, shipping to Norway and to purchase the specially designed collection tubes that are required for this project.  No amount is too small or too great! As a special incentive, everyone who donates toward this project will be entered in a chance to win a one-year GHI Hero membership!  Simply put Corn Research Project in the memo when you donate. If you know hounds afflicted with corns and you are interested in collecting samples, email trina@greyhoundhealthinitiative.org   If you’d like to make a donation, click the donate button here.

[RaineysMom]

thanks for posting!  I'm in contact with the lady from OH and hoping to get some samples from folks in Chicagoland here.  Our Larry has corns and I know of 2 other dogs in our group that has them.